June 2026 marks an important moment for European inland waterway transport representation. Both founding organisations of the European Inland Waterway Transport Platform, the European Skippers’ Organisation (ESO) and the European Barge Union (EBU), have announced changes in their presidencies. The two organisations have long stood at the centre of sector representation in Europe. Through the IWT Platform, they bring together the voice of inland navigation entrepreneurs, barge owners, operators and national associations, helping to ensure that the sector is heard in European policy discussions on greening, digitalisation, infrastructure, labour, safety and competitiveness.

A dual presidency for ESO

On 18 June 2026, the General Assembly of the European Skippers’ Organisation appointed Marjan Beelen and Erik Schultz as the successors to Christiaan Van Lancker, who has led ESO since 2009. After seventeen years at the helm, Van Lancker leaves behind a strong record of commitment to the European inland navigation sector. His presidency coincided with years of major change for the sector, from the growing European sustainability agenda to digitalisation, workforce questions and the continuous need to defend the role of family-owned and independent inland shipping businesses.

With the appointment of Marjan Beelen and Erik Schultz, ESO is choosing a dual presidency. The decision reflects the organisation’s wish to combine complementary experience, backgrounds and networks at a time when inland navigation is facing both pressure and opportunity.

Marjan Beelen brings extensive experience in European, national and regional sector representation. She holds several board and advisory mandates, including within ESO, the Federation of Belgian Inland Navigation, the Institute of Inland Waterway Transport and Koepel Binnenvaart Vlaanderen. As Director of CITBO, the cooperative representing inland tanker barge owners, she is closely connected to the daily realities of professional, safe and sustainable tanker shipping.

Erik Schultz is also a familiar figure in the sector. He is a board member of Koninklijke Binnenvaart Nederland and Chairman of SchippersVereniging Schuttevaer. With a background in shipbuilding, business economics and long-standing experience in national and international inland shipping associations, he brings a strong understanding of both entrepreneurial practice and European representation.

In their first joint statement, Beelen and Schultz underlined the need for cooperation across the sector: “Inland shipping holds a strong position within the European transport system. By working together with our members, customers, and stakeholders, we can ensure that our sector makes the most of tomorrow’s opportunities while simultaneously providing answers to the challenges it faces.”

Christiaan Van Lancker will not disappear from the European scene. At the request of the ESO Board, he will remain active as a board member on behalf of the Belgian organisation Bond van Eigen Schippers and will continue to represent ESO within the European Inland Waterway Transport Platform.

During the same meeting, ESO also said farewell to Alain Devos, who had served on the ESO Board since 2013 and represented the organisation for many years on the IWT Platform Board. His work in coordinating committees and supporting sector representation has left a lasting contribution to European inland navigation cooperation.

New leadership at EBU

A few days later, on 23 June 2026, the Board of the European Barge Union appointed Martin Staats as its new President. Maira van Helvoirt, Director of the Dutch association Koninklijke Binnenvaart Nederland, was appointed Vice-President.

Martin Staats is Managing Director of MSG eG and served for ten years as President of the German inland navigation association Bundesverband der Deutschen Binnenschifffahrt. He now continues within that organisation as a Board Member.

He succeeds Matthieu Blanc, who led EBU for the past two years on behalf of the French association E2F. During his presidency, Blanc helped strengthen the position of inland waterway transport at European level and supported cooperation with European and international institutions. His mandate also placed strong emphasis on the role of the human factor in inland navigation and on ensuring that the sector was reflected in new European strategies linked to the Clean Industrial Deal.

Looking ahead, Martin Staats has indicated that his presidency will focus on renewing inland navigation strategy and policy at EU level. A key priority will be the continuation of the NAIADES Action Plan, with attention to modal shift, the pathway towards zero emissions, digitalisation, the labour market and support for both the current and future workforce.

EBU has also stressed the importance of a high-quality waterway network as part of Europe’s industrial backbone. Inland waterways and ports are not only sustainable and resilient transport corridors, but also strategic infrastructure for Europe’s economy, security and military mobility. In this context, EBU calls for strong support for the Connecting Europe Facility in the ongoing Multiannual Financial Framework discussions, so that the necessary investments in waterway infrastructure can be made.

What this means for the Platform

ESO and EBU are the two founding organisations of the European Inland Waterway Transport Platform and together form its Management Board and part of the Advisory Board.

The European Skippers’ Organisation represents private inland navigation entrepreneurs, particularly independent operators and family businesses. The European Barge Union represents the inland navigation industry through national associations of barge owners and operators across Europe.

Through the IWT Platform, ESO and EBU jointly coordinate the sector’s representation at European level, guiding its strategic direction and ensuring a unified voice in dialogue with EU institutions and stakeholders.

The leadership changes at ESO and EBU therefore matter beyond the internal life of the two organisations. They also mark a new phase for the broader European IWT community, at a time when inland navigation is being asked to deliver on major transitions while remaining competitive, reliable and attractive for the next generation.

For the European IWT Platform, the renewed leadership of its founding organisations offers continuity, experience and fresh energy for the work ahead.